The United States Forest Service (USFS) and the other agencies who manage our beautiful public lands (NPS, BLM) have an important campaign called, “leave no trace behind.” Essentially the campaign encourages people to be responsible and pack out whatever you bring with you and to be considerate of others when taking advantage of recreational areas. The various scouting groups helped to promote the ethic via their youth programs. I remember it well from my former Girl Scout experiences as a scout and a leader.

Campaign posters, comic style books, stuffed toys and other ephemera created a nostalgic and popular image of the well known spokes-character, Smokey the Bear. Smokey has a historical legacy that started in 1944 as a way to help with fire prevention. The campaign was so popular that Smokey became an advertising icon and household brand that most American children are familiar with. For the experienced walker/hiker/camper, the campaign ingrained a well known set of rules and an unspoken code when using any trails like local walkways and beaches.

Baxter and I walked Trinidad Head and Launcher Beach this morning and were surprised and disappointed by our overall experience. I suspect I’m “singing to the choir” here but geeeeze what the heck? The three strike rule applies to our experience today. While on the trail I picked up a pile of garbage left behind from a group’s take out lunch that incidentally had been spread all over the trail by birds, stepped in dog poo on the trail, and had to listen to a Chatty Cathy yak gossip on her cell phone while we walked around the headland.

I’m a big fan of former first head of the USFS Gifford Pinchot’s famous saying, “for the greater good.” National Monuments like Trinidad Head are stunning environments that are preserved for the general public, not just for the benefit of one. It’s a privilege that we all share and deserves our respect. Trashing the headland or any other location with physical garbage and unnecessary noise is disrespectful. What is the matter with people? My inclination is to think that some people are clueless and/or don’t seem to care about their their impact on others. We have seen an extreme example most recently with the issue is Mask wearing during Covid. There is a disconnect here that really deserves some attention.

October continues to have gorgeous weather providing great opportunities to get outside and move. I hope everyone who can, will respectfully take advantage of it. I’ve included a video soundbite taken before Chatty Cathy caught up with us on the trail. Enjoy the pics! #iluvtowalk #baxteronthego #trinidadcalifornia #humboldt

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